Provides services for seniors and people with disabilities. Services include family caregiver support and respite, long term care ombudsman, assistance with Medicare, AHCCCS, and other health insurance programs, volunteer recruitment and placement, and mileage reimbursement for senior passengers who must rely on others for transportation. *** Due to a change in funding, new client services in Mohave and Yuma counties are subject to wait lists. ***

WACOG Senior Services - Yuma & La Paz Counties | WACOG Senior Services - Yuma & La Paz Counties

Substate organizations authorized under the Older Americans Act of 1965 to develop a comprehensive, coordinated system of community-based services for older adults within their planning and service area. State Units on Aging designate, provide federal and state funding, and monitor operations of AAAs. Eight states and the District of Columbia do not have AAAs and, therefore, serve the roles of both state and area agency. AAA's responsibilities include planning; development of local funding resources; and contracting with local service provider organizations to provide authorized services which include information and referral/assistance, outreach, case/care management, escort, transportation, homemaker/chore, personal care, home repair and rehabilitation, home delivered meals, congregate meals, adult day care, elder abuse prevention, nursing home ombudsman, legal assistance, employment and training, health promotion and disease prevention and senior centers as well as services that support caregivers including respite care, counseling and education programs. AAAs may provide a number of other services in situations where local service provider options are limited.

Area Agencies on Aging

Programs that reimburse individuals for mileage expenses incurred in connection with medical appointments or other designated purposes.

Mileage Reimbursements

Programs that are actively seeking individuals with the requisite knowledge, skills, experience and, in some cases, credentials, who are willing to work on a voluntary basis without remuneration providing information and guidance for people who need assistance in selecting appropriate health insurance coverage. Health insurance counseling volunteers may also answer questions about health insurance benefits and help people complete insurance forms.

Health Insurance Information/Counseling Volunteer Opportunities

Organizations that are actively seeking individuals with the requisite skills and experience who are willing to work on a voluntary basis without remuneration as advocates who intercede on behalf of individuals and/or groups to ensure that they receive the benefits and services to which they are entitled and to investigate complaints against corporations, universities, nonprofit organizations, government entities and non-governmental organizations that may be infringing on the rights of individuals. Volunteers in this position may help patients and family members investigate and solve problems with health care providers; advocate for the best interests of individuals with disabilities; provide information and assistance that empowers victims of abuse or other types of crimes to act for themselves (and, if necessary, intercede on their behalf); provide support for crime victims in court proceedings; and serve as advocates for other vulnerable populations.

Advocacy/Ombudsman Volunteer Opportunities

Programs that are actively seeking individuals with the requisite knowledge, skills, experience and, in some cases, credentials, who are willing to work on a voluntary basis without remuneration providing information and guidance for people who need assistance in applying for TANF, Food Stamps/SNAP and other government benefits. Eligibility counseling volunteers may also answer questions about government benefits and help people complete necessary forms.

Public Benefits Application Assistance Volunteer Opportunities

Programs that investigate and attempt to resolve complaints made by or on behalf of residents of nursing facilities, residential care homes, assisted living facilities and other supervised living facilities for older adults. The program also promotes policies and practices that improve the quality of life, health, safety, welfare and rights of residents; monitors laws, regulations and policies that affect those who live in long-term care facilities; provides the public with information about long-term care options; and promotes the development of consumer organizations concerned about long-term care. Under the federal Older Americans Act, every state is required to have an Ombudsman Program that addresses complaints and advocates for improvements in the long term care system.

Long Term Care Ombudsman Programs

Programs that provide a variety of supportive services for individuals who need assistance in completing, filing and/or appealing decisions with regard to their medical insurance claims.

Health Insurance Claims Assistance for Beneficiaries

Programs that provide a brief period of rest or relief for family members, guardians or others who are regular caregivers for dependent adults by offering temporary or intermittent care for the adult in their own home.

Adult In Home Respite Care

Programs that identify individuals who have chosen to work on a full or part-time basis without remuneration in one of the human service fields and which systematically evaluate the skills, talents and personalities of recruited volunteers and match them with human service agencies that need voluntary support.

Volunteer Recruitment/Placement

Programs that intercede on behalf of individuals to help them establish eligibility for or obtain needed services when they have been denied benefits or services for which they are eligible, when they need assistance to communicate their needs to a service provider or to otherwise effectively represent themselves, or when they have a complaint about a service. Individual advocacy attempts to reach equitable settlements without resorting to litigation and seeks to meet individual needs without attempting to change social institutions.

Individual Advocacy

Provides services for seniors and people with disabilities. Services include family caregiver support and respite, long term care ombudsman, assistance with Medicare, AHCCCS, and other health insurance programs, volunteer recruitment and placement, and mileage reimbursement for senior passengers who must rely on others for transportation. *** Due to a change in funding, new client services are subject to wait lists. ***

WACOG Senior Services - Yuma & La Paz Counties | WACOG Senior Services - Yuma & La Paz Counties

WACOG Senior Services - Mohave County | WACOG Senior Services - Mohave County